Emerson vs. Bryant University

Deciding between Emerson College and Bryant University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Emerson College
Bryant University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Bryant University Smithfield, RI
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Bryant University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Bryant University 3,636
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Bryant University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Bryant University #263
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Emerson -
  • Bryant University -
  • Status
  • Emerson Non-profit
  • Bryant University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Emerson
  • Bryant University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Bryant University $52,677
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Bryant University $52,677
  • Room & Board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Bryant University $17,528
  • Average Net Price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Bryant University $42,139
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Bryant University $28,035
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Bryant University 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Bryant University 9,825
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Bryant University 6,431
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Bryant University 65.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Bryant University 13.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Bryant University 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Bryant University 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Bryant University 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Bryant University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Bryant University Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Bryant University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Emerson 29/32
  • Bryant University 27/28
  • SAT Range
  • Emerson 1270/1420
  • Bryant University 1190/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Bryant University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Bryant University Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Bryant University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Bryant University
    • Business (77%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (4%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Bryant University 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Bryant University $73,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Bryant University 87%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Bryant University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Bryant University $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Emerson 29%
  • Bryant University 63%
  • % Women
  • Emerson 71%
  • Bryant University 37%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Emerson Medium
  • Bryant University Low
  • HBCU
  • Emerson No
  • Bryant University No
  • % White
  • Emerson 67%
  • Bryant University 73%
  • % Asian
  • Emerson 4%
  • Bryant University 5%
  • % Black
  • Emerson 3%
  • Bryant University 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Emerson 11%
  • Bryant University 7%
  • % Native American
  • Emerson 0%
  • Bryant University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Emerson 0%
  • Bryant University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Emerson 4%
  • Bryant University 1%
  • % International
  • Emerson 7%
  • Bryant University 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Emerson 3%
  • Bryant University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Emerson 15%
  • Bryant University 12%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Emerson 67%
  • Bryant University 81%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Emerson Yes
  • Bryant University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Emerson No
  • Bryant University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Emerson Yes
  • Bryant University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Emerson No
  • Bryant University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Emerson No
  • Bryant University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Bryant University in Smithfield, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Bryant University based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,636 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Bryant University is in Smithfield, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryant University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Bryant University 13:1.

Emerson vs. Bryant University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Bryant University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bryant University than Emerson ($42,139 vs. $53,432).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bryant University are 16.2% lower than at Emerson College ($17,528 vs. $20,920).
  • Emerson College is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryant University (about $4,379 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $52,677.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Emerson than at Bryant University (about $4,379 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $52,677.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryant University than at Emerson College (99% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bryant University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($28,035 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Bryant University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Bryant University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bryant University and Emerson.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 90 points higher than at Bryant University (1260).
  • Incoming Emerson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Bryant University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Bryant University 1190/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Bryant University 27/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Bryant University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Bryant University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Bryant University (3.43).
  • Bryant University has a higher acceptance rate (65.5%) than Emerson (51.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13.7% at Bryant University.

Emerson vs. Bryant University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Bryant University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Bryant University's (77%).
  • Graduates from Bryant University earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Bryant University graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryant University graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Bryant University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.